Rs 2,500 cr master plan for tourism

The Karnataka government is ready with a master plan envisaging an investment of Rs 2,500 crore for developing tourism in the state and has sought clearance from the Centre for implementing the project.

"We have already sent the proposal to the Centre for its approval. We intend to involve private participants in creating the required infrastructure to attract both domestic and foreign tourists to the state," said minister for tourism D T Jayakumar.

Speaking at a panel discussion on Karnataka tourism, "We are in the process of bringing a new dimension to the tourism sector in our state and chalk out a new tourism policy to encourage private investment and also attract more tourists."

Harish Bijoor, brand expert and CEO, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc, who moderated the discussion said that the new brand campaign 'One State, Many Worlds' will reposition Karnataka as a top tourism destination in the country.

Jayakumar said that the government proposes to develop the World Heritage Site of Hampi near Hospet in Bellary district at an investment of Rs 500 crore.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has been approached to fund the project. Under the project, the ruins of Vijayanagar empire at Hampi will be protected from further decay and preserved.

Every year the government aims to spend at least Rs 100 crore for developing tourism infrastructure with an equal and matching grant from the Centre, the minister said adding that the budgetary allocation to the tourism sector has been increased from a mere Rs 15 crore a few years ago to Rs 75 crore this year.

"Our aim is to make Karnataka the most-preferred tourism destination in the country in the next five years. We are making an all out effort to make use of the untapped resources," the minister said.

L Shanthakumari, principal secretary, tourism department said that the department has identified nine circuits including heritage, adventure, wildlife, beaches and temples to woo investors and also attract tourists to the state. Private investors like Cherian Ramapuram of Trails India, Tiger Ramesh of Cicada Resorts and Jose Dominic of the Casino Group of Hotels, who participated in the panel discussion urged the state government to provide better infrastructure facilities like proper roads and electricity for developing tourism in the state and set up a single window agency for the speedy clearance of investment proposals.

The state government should facilitate the smooth flow of private investment in the tourism sector, they said.